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'Spring Awakening' to come to Gammage stage


December 20, 2010

The second national tour of the acclaimed “Spring Awakening” is coming to the ASU Gammage stage Jan. 27-28. A rock musical adaptation of the controversial 1891 German play of the same name, this rendition will don a new cast but keep with the same staging and choreography that have served to define the Broadway hit musical.

The winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the show “explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood” in late-19th century Germany, where youth and rebellion help to usher in a cultural shift in the way people think about education, individual rights and sexuality. “Spring Awakening” is appropriate for teenage audiences and older, as it includes mature themes, sexual situations and strong language.   

Michael Linden, one of the show’s ensemble members, says that audiences will get the luxury of seeing a “fresh” show each night as the relentless tour schedule practically delivers the cast to a new city every other day, keeping the cast members “on their toes.”

"It’s tiring, but fun,” says Linden, a recent MFA graduate who recently joined the cast. "It keeps the show fresh. Audiences change depending on what state you’re in – there’s a completely different response from Wisconsin to Illinois.”

Despite the show’s 1800s-roots, "Spring Awakening" is undoubtedly contemporary, and draws audiences similar to those of “Avenue Q” and “Rent.” Linden says this is because the music, itself, is modern.

“What’s really vital in Broadway is a parallel to what is happening in music nowadays,” Linden says. “The music in ‘Spring Awakening’ is really contemporary while the language and style of the play suits 1891. But in this show we also break from that – we’re mashing up classical text and everyday music. It’s reflective of what we listen to on the radio.”

Linden also has found that despite the fact that “Spring Awakening” is a story from and about a different era – an era that is completely foreign to young theatergoers nowadays – the show still remains relevant.  

“Kids open up,” Linden says. “The show really draws people in.”

To learn more about the show, or to buy tickets, click here. Performances of “Spring Awakening” are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Jan. 27 and 7 p.m., Jan. 28.